Rod Stewart recently set hearts aflutter in the Hunter Valley with a performance at Tempus Two Winery, heralding what appears to be a growing phenomenon of special events being held in regional New South Wales. He wasn’t the first high-profile performer to take to the stage in the area and will by no means be the last.
Without doubt, performers of this caliber are helping to raise the profile of destinations and regions as a whole, and aren’t hurting the business events industry in the slightest.
Small corporate meetings held out of the Sydney central business district in regional areas around New South Wales are often mid-week affairs where traditionally venues are generally quieter.
Meeting planners and conference delegates really are spoilt for choice, particularly in regional New South Wales. Many venues really are first-rate – not only offering great conference rooms, fine-dining restaurants, and plenty of great things to see and do “beyond the ballroom”. And the beauty of some of the top ones is that they are so close to Sydney that getting there by road is fast and efficient.
Just a short distance from where Rod strutted his stuff, for example, is the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley – a spectacularly new venue (opened in 2006) that offers everything the conference delegate could ever want.
The property is hugely popular for corporate conferences. Earlier this year Bridgestone held its annual national franchisee conference at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, with the group taking over the entire resort for five nights.
Crowne Plaza’s large exhibition space was said to be a major drawcard for Bridgestone. Each year Bridgestone invites suppliers to display and demonstrate their products. This year, the space – measuring more than 830 square metres with the vehicle access and windows overlooking the gardens – allowed Bridgestone to invite more suppliers than previous years and even set up a “go-to area” for morning and afternoon tea as well.
A marquee was also a big plus for organisers, who used it as a large pavilion structure to display cars and stage nightly events without affecting daily sessions. Add to this the hotel’s golf course – which was used to run an ambrose golf competition for delegates; the Water Dragons’ Club for delegate children – which ran throughout the day and evenings; and the added attractions within the Hunter Valley.
As this was such a large event, Crowne Plaza put all its resources into Bridgestone’s time there by offering sole use of the hotel and assigning a team of Crowne meeting coordinators to the conference. A food and wine fair was put on for everyone and organisers were also particularly impressed with hotel staff’s involvement in the various events. During the 80’s night for example, all staff wore fluoro shirts with Bridgestone conference logos on the back and fluoro headbands, the girls teasing their hair. To add to this the hotel used banners and signage to brand the hotel as “Bridgestone Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.”
“The hotel was fresh and new and had a great positive vibe,” said Bridgestone event organiser, Janelle Walker.
Also in the Hunter Valley, and another property that continually delivers above expectations, is Cypress Lakes Resort.
Just last month Cypress Lakes hosted the Young Presidents Organisation Board of Directors Conference, attended by 59 delegates and partners, which the YPO has described as its “best ever” conference.
YPO delegates came to the resort with Sydney Seaplanes, landing at Cessnock Airport, and taking the short five minute drive to the property. As delegates were involved in conference sessions spouses enjoyed yoga classes, spa treatments at The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia, and bike riding to the stunning Hunter Valley Gardens for a guided tour and chocolate-tasting at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Shop.
Off-site events for the entire group included lunch and wine-tasting at Esca at Bimbadgen Estate, a dinner at Rock Restaurant, and a country-style dinner at Lindeman’s Estate. At this event there was live sheep shearing demonstrations, grape stomping, a “smell, swirl and spitting” station, cowgirls and cowboys, whip-cracking and plenty more.
Cypress Lakes Resort has been delivering great events for many years. Its new Events Centre can cater for up to 620 guests while the adjacent Cypress Lakes Convention Centre has the capacity to cater for up to 500 delegates theatre-style, or 280 guests banquet style. If two-and-a-half hours is too far then the Central Coast of NSW may be an alternative option. And there are plenty of them here.
Beach-side there is the Crown Plaza Terrigal or the Ettalong Beach Club, both roughly 1.5 hours from Sydney, and both popular for corporate meetings and related events.
For those after more of a bush experience it is hard to go past the Dooralong Valley Resort, tucked away in the Dooralong Valley at the base of the Wattagan Mountains.
With its colonial styled cabins, open fireplaces, horse riding and loads of indoor and outdoor activities, Dooralong Valley Resort is said to indulge the senses.
Scattered among the eucalypts, and with views overlooking the picturesque lakes and grounds, each of the resort’s 45 cottages boast a master bedroom downstairs with an upstairs loft containing two single beds. A spacious living area and roomy federation style bathrooms are beautifully decorated and furnished, and for those who really want that cosy romantic encounter the open fireplaces in most of these cottages are a definite feature.
The resort’s 20 ensuite Lodge Rooms and suites are equally impressive, again featuring open fireplaces in most rooms, verandahs with exceptional views, and absolute comfort guaranteed. You can even have a masseuse come to your room to ensure you are relieved of any remnant stress from the office.
Dooralong Valley Resort’s restaurant, Jilliby’s offers delectable dining. This huge room, with polished timber floors and beams, massive open fireplace, expansive bay window with a postcard rural view, and innovative country fare really complete the experience.
The resort also has its own fully licensed tavern, the Oxley Hotel, open to resort guests and the general public. It features large open verandahs, casual bistro dining, plazma televisions, pool tables, darts board, juke box, and casual dining.
The dock of the bay
When the beach is beckoning and you want some sand between your toes you should look no further than a couple of hours further north of the Dooralong Valley at the sleepy Shoal Bay area in regional New South Wales.
Here you will find the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa, described as being “the ultimate in beachfront conference venues”.
The Shoal Bay Resort & Spa offers 200 apartments with one, two and three bedrooms. All apartments are self contained with a kitchenette or full kitchen facilities and separate bedrooms connecting to the main living area. The two bedroom apartments feature two separate bathrooms, making a comfortable twin-share option for conference delegates.
Apartments feature modern décor and most have spectacular views overlooking Shoal Bay.
The purpose-built meetings facilities, aptly called Whitesands Convention Centre (which incorporates the Sun, Sea and Star conference rooms), is equally as impressive. The convention centre also features a large lobby suitable for breakout areas or tradeshow displays, and has an adjoining boardroom.
In addition to the conference centre, nine Seaspray Villas accommodate up to 20 people in boardroom style. A registration desk is available for exclusive use and wireless access is available throughout the meetings area.
What is the history behind Bellachara and how long has it been in operation?
Bellachara opened in March 2006. It was a 25-year-old half-star “hoey moey” motel called Seascape Manor, but referred to by the locals as “Fleascape Manor”. In 2004 I heard it was for sale, I drove up the drive way and stopped halfway up…I loved the “bones”, it had something wonderful about it.
After a massive clean up and the killing of all sorts of bugs, I ran it like it was for one year at $50 per night, while I gained building approvals, building quotes, design ideas and raising finance.
One year later I closed it down and played building foreman. I stripped it down to the skeleton and rebuilt it. One year later, bellachara was born as a luxury boutique hotel.
What makes your property unique?
It has been described as “chic stylish urban design with a local country charm” - a combination of new and old architecture and design, modern and antique furniture with a contemporary feel and serene ambiance…an oasis of style and luxury so unexpected on the south coast.
What is currently happening at Bellachara?
Our aim is to win a “hat” for best contemporary restaurant… with a new young host and chef making a dynamic duo. Our day spa has been voted 28th best day spa in the world by Luxury Travel magazine. Our conference venue of 300 square metres is booking as Sunday through Friday we are a conference venue first, and I just wish we had more rooms and more conference space.
What kind of meeting, incentive or team building opportunities does your property offer?
We have 300 square metres of meeting space, breaking down to one by 100 square metre and one by 200 metres square, both with abundant natural light, overlooking the gardens, pool and the country escarpment. Plus a stunning boardroom with French doors opening to a garden courtyard.
How flexible would you consider the venue space to be at your property?
Bellachara is privately owned and managed by the one person, so there are no rules…whatever the client wants, and if it is at all possible, then we will do it.
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